Redskins' Josh Norman: Donald Trump is 'not my president'

SportsPulse: NFL insider Jarrett Bell on how the football world responded to President Trump's comments on national anthem protests, as well as how Week 3 of the season was full of upsets and wild finishes.
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Washington Redskins owner Daniel Synder stands with cornerback Josh Norman during the the national anthem before the game against the Oakland Raiders at FedExField on September 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland.(Photo11: Patrick Smith, Getty Images)

LANDOVER, Md. – Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman unleashed a pointed and emotional response to President Trump’s comments attacking NFL players who choose not to stand during the pregame playing of the national anthem.

“What president?” Norman said late Sunday night by his locker after the team beat the Oakland Raiders 27-10. “Not my president. He was chosen, true. But when a president acts like that, what do you say to that? That’s not someone that stands with dignity, pride, respect, honor. Where’s the honor in that? Where’s the dignity in that? Where is anything that’s prideful in doing what you did?

"Words are powerful. They can either unite you, or they can divide you. So what he said united us.”

Washington’s players locked arms during the national anthem Sunday night, capping a day of protests that swept through the entire NFL. Owner Daniel Snyder, who donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural committee and $100,000 to his current campaign, and team president Bruce Allen joined the players on the field. Norman stood directly to Snyder's right and locked arms with him during the show of unity.

A few of Washington’s players kneeled, including receiver Jamison Crowder and tight ends Jordan Reed and Niles Paul.

Players have been protesting during the anthem to generate awareness to various social injustices in minority communities, a movement that started last season with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who remains unemployed.

Over the course of three days, Trump repeatedly called for players who protested to be fired or suspended.

“When a man calls you out like that, behind the (office of the) POTUS, and he’s supposed to be the President of America – he’s supposed to be – calls you out like that, in a group, and there’s more going on in the world, that’s frustrating,” Norman said. “That’s coming from you. I’m all cool. You give people the benefit of the doubt, but he’s coming in that direction, directly at you, nah, man. One brother, you mess with one, you mess with all. Nobody’s divided in this. We was in unity. We wanted to stand for something.

“I’m telling you right now, this man is not welcome in Washington, D.C. He’s not. I hope he won’t be around when I see him. He’s not welcome. I can say that to your face. He’s not welcome.”

At a rally on Friday in Alabama, Trump said, “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out. He's fired. He's fired!”

“I couldn’t stop thinking about it since he said it,” Norman added. “And that was a big game we played. The game came secondary for me, to be honest with you. This came first and foremost. I could not stand to the side and watch such a thing happening.”

Norman spoke to reporters for nearly half an hour after media was allowed into the team’s locker room. All players had left, and a team public relations staffer even told Norman well into his interview session that he was free to leave.

Norman declined and continued to answer questions, saying this was “dear to him.”

“That’s disrespectful,” Norman added of Trump's remarks. “That’s appalling. When you call a man an S.O.B., how you call somebody that? That’s not your right to do. Understand that.”

Throughout the session, Norman spoke with distinct emotion he punctuated his sentences with emphasis.

“That right there, oh my gosh,” Norman said. “That’s sad. It’s sad to be an American nowadays, when you sit up here and listen to that.”

Norman and the rest of his defensive teammates had their best game of the season, shutting down a Raiders offense that came into Week 3 leading the league in scoring. He finished the game with two tackles and helped hold receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree to two combined catches for 13 yards.

Though it was a dominant and signature victory, Norman clearly placed more significance on the response to Trump’s comments.

“I promise you, the next time there is voting or anything about it, we will be the first in line,” Norman said. “Because this right here, is not acceptable.”

Norman would not indicate if he and his teammates planned on continuing their show of unity or would protest in another way, but acknowledged that he would continue to express himself when he felt necessary.

“We had to do something and the time was now,” Norman said. “If you can’t do something in the capital – it starts here. Fifty states, this is the capital of the free world. It starts with us and we had to do something about it. It’s not about the flag, man. We love it. We want to be here. This is our country. We were born here. We were bred here. This is what we’re about.

“Nobody is spitting on the flag or disrespecting it. We know you gave your life for it and our gratitude to your service is deeply endeared. Understand that. But if somebody comes on your front porch and takes a piss, as a man, what are you going to do? Sit there and watch him pee? Or are you going to step outside and be like, ‘Hey, what are you doing, sir? You’re on private property. You’ve got to get off, or we’ll make you get off.’ ”

Nov. 5: Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt stands in support of his teammates, including Michael Bennett, who are sitting during the singing of the national anthem before the game against the Washington Redskins. Elaine Thompson, AP

Oct. 29: Defensive tackle Carlos Watkins (91) and his Texans teammates kneel during the national anthem before kickoff against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY Sports

Oct. 29: Texans quarterback Tom Savage, right, holds the hand of quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) before the start of a game against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Troy Wayrynen, Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers players kneel during the performance of the national anthem before an NFL football game between the 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. Eric Risberg, AP

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Robert Quinn (94) raises his right fist during the USA national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the NFL International Series game at Twickenham Stadium. Steven Flynn, USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles players Malcolm Jenkins (27) and Rodney McLeod (23) raise their fists as they stand with head coach Doug Pederson during the national anthem before a game against the Carolina Panthers, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, in Charlotte. Mike McCarn, AP

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Aaron Colvin (22) and Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) cross their arms during the national anthem before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (44) and linebacker Steve Longa (54) kneel during the national anthem before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins tight end Niles Paul (84) and linebackers Ryan Anderson (52) and Chris Carter (55) kneel with teammates during the playing of the national anthem before the game against the Oakland Raiders at FedEx Field. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder stands with cornerbacks Josh Norman (24), Bashaud Breeland (26) and safety D.J. Swearinger (36) during the playing of the national anthem before the game against the Oakland Raiders at FedEx Field. Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers tight ends Lance Kendricks (84) and Martellus Bennett (80) sit on the bench during the national anthem prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field. Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett (72) sits during the national anthem as Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls (34) and center Justin Britt (68) stand next to him prior to kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Malcolm Jenkins, center, raises his fist as he stands between teammates Chris Long, left, and Rodney McLeod during a rendition of the national anthem before a against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Landover, Md. Alex Brandon, AP

Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) and defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) raise their hands after the national anthem before a game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. James Kenney, AP

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) raises his fist during the performance of the national anthem before a game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Rams in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP

Seattle Seahawks center Justin Britt (68), and cornerback Jeremy Lane (20) stand near defensive end Michael Bennett (72) as Bennett sits on the bench during the national anthem before the team's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings, Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Seattle. Scott Eklund, AP

Malcolm Jenkins of the Philadelphia Eagles holds his fist in the air while Chris Long of the Philadelphia Eagles puts his arm around him during the national anthem prior to the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mitchell Leff, Getty Images

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Cameron Jefferson raising his fist during the national anthem before an preseason football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia. Jefferson says he gained the courage to raise his fist in protest during the anthem once he saw Chris Long hug Eagles teammate Malcolm Jenkins on the opposite sideline on Thursday. Matt Rourke, AP

Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) sits during the National Anthem prior to a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams defensive end Robert Quinn, right, gestures during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, in Los Angeles. Jae Hong, AP

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters raises his fist in the air during the national anthem before a game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. John Sleezer, AP

San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the national anthem while members of the military hold the flag before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Levi's Stadium. Kelley L Cox, USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the national anthem before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos inside linebacker Brandon Marshall (54) kneels during the national anthem before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Ron Chenoy, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and teammate 49ers free safety Eric Reid (35) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. Kirby Lee,USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, middle, sits during the National Anthem before an NFL preseason football game against the San Diego Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) ORG XMIT: CACC105 Chris Carlson, AP